Cleveland Browns vs. Arizona Cardinals: 2019 Week 15 Recap

Game story

In Week 15 of the 2019 NFL season on 2019-12-15, the Arizona Cardinals took care of business against the Cleveland Browns, pulling away with a 38–24 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 24 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

B. Mayfield (Cleveland Browns) paced the passing game, with +2.60 total EPA, and +2.5% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, K. Murray (Arizona Cardinals) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +9.28 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-14.9% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Arizona Cardinals changed the game: (6:54) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short left intended for 85-C.Clay INTERCEPTED by 51-M.Wilson at ARI 49. 51-M.Wilson pushed ob at ARI 28 for 21 yards (1-K.Murray).

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 K. Murray · Arizona Cardinals · Passing · +9.28 total EPA · 28 snaps · +0.33 EPA/play
2. 2 K. Drake · Arizona Cardinals · Rushing · +8.31 total EPA · 22 snaps · +0.38 EPA/play
3. 3 N. Chubb · Cleveland Browns · Rushing · +6.33 total EPA · 17 snaps · +0.37 EPA/play
4. 4 D. Byrd · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +4.76 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.79 EPA/play
5. 5 K. Hunt · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +4.67 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.52 EPA/play
6. 6 D. Ratley · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +3.68 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.84 EPA/play
7. 7 P. Cooper · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +2.83 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.83 EPA/play
8. 8 L. Fitzgerald · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +2.76 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.55 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Arizona Cardinals — K. Drake (Q1 55:15)
• Arizona Cardinals — K. Drake (Q2 42:06)
• Cleveland Browns — N. Chubb (Q2 37:58)
• Arizona Cardinals — D. Arnold (K. Murray pass) (Q2 30:31)
• Cleveland Browns — R. Seals-Jones (B. Mayfield pass) (Q3 23:59)
• Arizona Cardinals — K. Drake (Q3 16:45)
• Arizona Cardinals — K. Drake (Q4 7:31)
• Cleveland Browns — R. Seals-Jones (B. Mayfield pass) (Q4 1:24)

Field goals

• Cleveland Browns — A. Seibert (Q2 34:39)
• Arizona Cardinals — Z. Gonzalez (Q4 5:21)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 7–0. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the CLE 5 (Q1 55:15) — (10:15) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 41-K.Drake left end for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the CLE 15 (Q1 55:09) — 5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee..

The second quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 14–10. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the CLE 1 (Q2 42:06) — (12:06) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 41-K.Drake up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the CLE 15 (Q2 42:02) — 5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee.; Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the ARI 33 (Q2 37:58) — (7:58) (Shotgun) 24-N.Chubb left tackle for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q2 37:50) — 4-A.Seibert extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan.; Cleveland Browns connected on a field goal from the ARI 26 (Q2 34:39) — (4:39) 4-A.Seibert 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the CLE 6 (Q2 30:31) — (:31) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short right to 82-D.Arnold for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the CLE 15 (Q2 30:25) — 5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the ARI 2 (Q3 23:59) — (8:59) 6-B.Mayfield pass short left to 83-R.Seals-Jones for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q3 23:54) — 4-A.Seibert extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan.; Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the CLE 1 (Q3 16:45) — (1:45) (Shotgun) 41-K.Drake up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the CLE 15 (Q3 16:40).

The fourth quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 10–7. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the CLE 17 (Q4 7:31) — (7:31) (Shotgun) 41-K.Drake up the middle for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the CLE 15 (Q4 7:25) — 5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the CLE 3 (Q4 5:21) — (5:21) 5-Z.Gonzalez 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee.; Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the ARI 1 (Q4 1:24) — (1:24) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short right to 83-R.Seals-Jones for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q4 1:21) — 4-A.Seibert extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Arizona Cardinals (Q2 36:54) — (6:54) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short left intended for 85-C.Clay INTERCEPTED by 51-M.Wilson at ARI 49. 51-M.Wilson pushed ob at ARI 28 for 21 yards (1-K.Murray). [WPA -14.9% · EPA -5.81]
• Cleveland Browns (Q1 49:18) — (4:18) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass deep left intended for 13-O.Beckham INTERCEPTED by 21-P.Peterson at ARI -3. Touchback. [WPA -12.4% · EPA -5.82]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q2 33:59) — (3:59) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short left to 14-D.Byrd pushed ob at CLE 35 for 51 yards (26-G.Williams). [WPA +9.7% · EPA +3.49]
• Cleveland Browns (Q2 37:58) — (7:58) (Shotgun) 24-N.Chubb left tackle for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +9.2% · EPA +3.66]
• Cleveland Browns (Q1 49:59) — (4:59) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass deep right to 18-D.Ratley to ARI 20 for 21 yards (25-C.Jones) [54-C.Marsh Sr.]. [WPA +8.0% · EPA +3.02]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Cleveland Browns (Q1 49:18) — (4:18) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass deep left intended for 13-O.Beckham INTERCEPTED by 21-P.Peterson at ARI -3. Touchback. [WPA -12.4% · EPA -5.82]
• Arizona Cardinals (Q2 36:54) — (6:54) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short left intended for 85-C.Clay INTERCEPTED by 51-M.Wilson at ARI 49. 51-M.Wilson pushed ob at ARI 28 for 21 yards (1-K.Murray). [WPA -14.9% · EPA -5.81]
• Cleveland Browns (Q4 7:25) — (7:25) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass deep middle to 83-R.Seals-Jones to ARI 49 for 26 yards (59-J.Walker, 32-B.Baker). FUMBLES (59-J.Walker), RECOVERED by ARI-34-J.Thompson at ARI 46. 34-J.Thompson push [WPA -0.8% · EPA -5.44]
• Cleveland Browns (Q4 12:09) — (12:09) 4-A.Seibert 45 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan. [WPA -3.6% · EPA -4.01]

Quarterback report card

B.Mayfield led all passers in efficiency for Cleveland Browns, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• B.Mayfield (Cleveland Browns) · 48 dropbacks · 62.5% completion · +2.5% CPOE · +0.05 EPA/play · +2.60 total EPA
• K.Murray (Arizona Cardinals) · 28 dropbacks · 67.9% completion · +12.0% CPOE · +0.33 EPA/play · +9.28 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Arizona Cardinals held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.20 vs +0.01), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Arizona Cardinals: 10 drives, +15.10 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• Cleveland Browns: 10 drives, +0.95 total EPA, 4 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Arizona Cardinals leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• K. Murray (Arizona Cardinals) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• K. Murray (ARI) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q1 55:15 · CLE 5 · Score 0-6
   (10:15) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 41-K.Drake left end for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q1 55:09 · CLE 15 · Score 0-7
   5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee.
3. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 42:06 · CLE 1 · Score 0-13
   (12:06) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 41-K.Drake up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 42:02 · CLE 15 · Score 0-14
   5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee.
5. Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q2 37:58 · ARI 33 · Score 6-14
   (7:58) (Shotgun) 24-N.Chubb left tackle for 33 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q2 37:50 · ARI 15 · Score 7-14
   4-A.Seibert extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan.
7. Cleveland Browns FG (+3) — Q2 34:39 · ARI 26 · Score 10-14
   (4:39) 4-A.Seibert 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan.
8. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q2 30:31 · CLE 6 · Score 10-20
   (:31) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short right to 82-D.Arnold for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q2 30:25 · CLE 15 · Score 10-21
   5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee.
10. Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q3 23:59 · ARI 2 · Score 16-21
    (8:59) 6-B.Mayfield pass short left to 83-R.Seals-Jones for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q3 23:54 · ARI 15 · Score 17-21
    4-A.Seibert extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan.
12. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q3 16:45 · CLE 1 · Score 17-27
    (1:45) (Shotgun) 41-K.Drake up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q3 16:40 · CLE 15 · Score 17-28
    5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee. PENALTY on CLE-29-S.Redwine, Defensive Offside, 5 yards, enforced between downs.
14. Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 7:31 · CLE 17 · Score 17-34
    (7:31) (Shotgun) 41-K.Drake up the middle for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q4 7:25 · CLE 15 · Score 17-35
    5-Z.Gonzalez extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee.
16. Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q4 5:21 · CLE 3 · Score 17-38
    (5:21) 5-Z.Gonzalez 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee.
17. Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q4 1:24 · ARI 1 · Score 23-38
    (1:24) (Shotgun) 6-B.Mayfield pass short right to 83-R.Seals-Jones for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
18. Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q4 1:21 · ARI 15 · Score 24-38
    4-A.Seibert extra point is GOOD, Center-47-C.Hughlett, Holder-7-J.Gillan.